Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 145, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1916 — LIVES IN HISTORY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LIVES IN HISTORY

Old Town of Westchester Saw Stirring Times in the Days of the Revolution. THE visitor to the village of Westchester, N, Y„ which, by the way, is the oldest in all Westchester county, should glance at the old village store, just west of the qauseway. Across the causeway is a hill occupied by the Presbyterian church, the same spot where the British set up a breastwork to defend themselves in the fight of '76. For old times’sake a stranger would want to walk out the Pelham road a little way, to see what remains of the famous “Spy Oak.” It is a tragedy to see this monarch among trees decapitated now; its wonderful height, gained proudly in its life of centuries, has been hewn,’so that its old friends almost weep at the sight. It is said to measure 30 feet in girth at the ground, where its roots spread. A British spy, caught by vigilant Americans, was hanged to its branches, says tradition; and, furthermore,

strange wailings of that British ghost were said to be audible after dusk. Walking west from the village -Square a short distance one comes to old St. Peter’s church, the fourth house of worship erected on this site. In its yard are headstones dating back as far as 1713. Upon the tombstone of Philip Honeywell, who was active during the Revolution, this inscription was placed: book on this stone and you will find My journey’s o’er, and yours behind; Think, then, before you turn away, That yours may end before this day. This was one of the early churches upon which Queen Anne bestowed gifts. In her day its chime of bells was given it. The old bells have since been melted and made into a new one, which rings Sabbath-day pilgrims to service as of old. "'*■ Across the street stands the parish house. This building, says Doctor Clendenin, the rector, was the one used for two weeks as the colonial capital of the state of New York when an epidemic of fever prompted a sudden move. A few blocks farther west is the picturesque rectory, standing quite alone on a. green knoll. Its surrounding land was part of the “ancient glebe” given by the town in 1703. Records state that it was found necessary to lay out parsonage lands, and 20 acres was made up by taking “four acres where Edward Collier’s old lott was,” “the eight-acre division of land in the old lott fronting to the sheep’pasture,” and so on. From 1683 to 1759 Westchester was the shire town. The village was settled in 1642 by Throckmorton (for whom Throg’s Neck was named), who arrived from Massachusetts with a group driven thence along with Roger Williams. They procured permission to make their homes at Westchester, settling 35 families there. The Dutch had called the spot Vredeland, meaning Land of Peace, and perhaps the name had something to do with attracting these weary worshipers. Today the spot is one to which the hearts of all true Americans turn in reverent love. —- ‘ —

Old St. Peter’s Church, Containing Bell Made by Melting Chimes Given in Queen Anne’s Time.